Mandy Gardner’s first exposure to real estate was during summer break from college. “I checked cotton on farms to tell farmers what kind of fertilizer to use,” she says. Mandy grew up on a farm. “I was born in Greenville, but grew up between Eudora and Lake Village, Arkansas,” she says. “My dad was a farmer and I worked with my dad and grandfather some.” It was working on the farm and checking cotton fields on other farms for weeds so farmers would know what chemicals and fertilizers to use for treatment, which helped Mandy realize the importance of owning land.

She went to college at Delta State University in Cleveland, majoring in business with an emphasis in real estate, and pledging Tri Delta sorority. “Robert Praytor, administrator for the Mississippi Real Estate Commission, was my real estate professor. I feel like I learned from the best.” Even though she had an emphasis in real estate, Mandy wasn’t sure what she wanted to do when she graduated.

“During my senior year of college, my grandfather’s sister from Key West, Florida came to visit. I picked her up at the airport and she asked me what I was going to do after college. She said I should sell real estate like her sister who lived in Escondido, California.” Mandy sent her resume to ten different brokers in the Jackson area before she graduated in December. “I wanted to move somewhere bigger than where I was from. I grew up going to Jackson with my grandparents to shop, and when I got older, I would go shopping in Jackson with friends from college.”

The only broker who called her was Doug Maselle from CENTURY 21 Maselle. “I moved to Jackson, then took the real estate exam.” I went to work for CENTURY 21 and in January I celebrated my 24th year there.”

Mandy started off by building her sphere of influence. “I got involved with the Tri Delta alumni group here, as well as the Jackson Delta State alumni group. I helped some of them find homes and they referred me to their friends.” Early in her career, Mandy worked with a lot of builders and she sold new construction, which taught her a whole different area of real estate. “I went on to get my broker’s license and I am a broker associate at Century 21.” Working with other builders inspired Mandy to get her builder’s license, which she did in November 2021. “I started a spec house last year that will close soon.”

The flexibility that real estate affords her is one reason Mandy enjoys the field so much. “It is also very rewarding for me to help guide people in their purchase of a home. It’s the largest investment of a lifetime and I want to be sure it’s as stress-free as possible for them. I work with a lot of first-time home buyers and then I work with people who are purchasing their third, fourth, or even fifth home. I love helping them as they move up.”

 It's not unusual for clients to become friends and Mandy says most of her clients are friends of hers. “Before Covid, we used to drive people around to look at houses. When you are in a car with people for several hours, you get to know them. Sometimes I feel like a counselor because people confide in me. I don’t mind. A lot of my business is repeat business or referrals. I’m not good at cold calling.”

When she isn’t working, Mandy enjoys painting and working out at Orange Theory. “I work out three to five days a week.” She also enjoys walking and playing tennis. When she can get away, it’s usually for something outdoors. “I love hiking in the mountains,” she says. “I like going to Colorado and to Asheville and Savannah. I have run in twelve half marathons in places like San Diego, San Francisco, Virginia Beach and Seaside. I have also participated in bike rides through the Mississippi Delta.”

And that great aunt in real estate? “She is now 94 years old,” says Mandy. “I go see her once or twice a year in California. She is amazing.”